Canada finance minister raises stakes in film fight

Etan Vlessing

2 Min Read

TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) - Canada’s finance minister has threatened to force a national election to ensure passage of a proposed bill that would end tax credits for Canadian films and TV shows deemed offensive.

Finance minister Jim Flaherty told the Senate Banking Committee Wednesday that Bill C-10 was directed at getting best value for taxpayer dollars, and was not about curbing edgy, controversial films as critics argue.

“I‘m in a stewardship position with respect to how taxpayers’ money is spent, and there are many demands in Canadian society and many needs that need to be addressed,” he said. “One of them is not the financing of movies or videos depicting hate, extreme violence and pornography.”

Flaherty added that failure to pass Bill C-10 would oust conservative prime minister Stephen Harper’s minority government and trigger a national election.

The legislation passed through the House of Commons last October, and remains hung up in Canada’s Senate.